Improvement in game-cards



NICHOLSON.

GAME CARDS.

Patented Nov. 14, 1876..A

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IMPROVEMENT IN GAME-CARDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [84,258, dated November 14, 1876; application tiled January 22, 1876. g

To all whom t may concern y Be it known that I, JAMEsW. NIoHoLsoN, of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and Stateot' Indiana, have invented Nicholsons Centennial Games of States, Territories, and

more tully explained. i

In the drawing, thosecards figured 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 represent but onefeach in the pack, No. 1 being the United States, showing the population in 1776 and 1876 No.2, Washington, &c.; No. 3, District ot' Columbia and population, andf largest city and population No. 7, flag and cannon, representing the Fourth of July, our natal day; No.8, a map of the United States and Territories, for convenience of reference to determine who is winner of points in accordance with the rules of the game. The value of these cards in the several games is also known by reference to the rules. The thirteen original States are represented by Figure 4, showing the name, date of settlement, present population, largest city in the State, and its population. The States admitted into the Union since the formation of the Government are represented in Fig. 5, which shows the name, year admitted, present population, largest city, and its population. The organized Territories'V `are `illustrated by Fig. 6, which shows the name, pressent population, naine of largest city, and its population.

It is evident that the cards marked 5 may be increased in number as other States may be added to the Union, and those marked 6 be diminished as the Territories are organized into States; also, that other historical information may be printed on the same cards, if desired.

The following are some of the games that may be played with the above-described cards, and the rulesgoverning the same:

Key to the Cards: First, the name of' the State or Territory; second, the year the State was admitted into the Union, if admitted; third,population of State or Territory; fourth, the name ofthe largest city in the State or Territory; t'th, the population of the largest city in the State or Territory.

The States marked S give date of first settlement of the Federal States.v The card United States gives the population lof the United States'in 1776 and in 1876.

Rules for Playing Nicholsons Centennial Games of States, Territories, and Cities.: The gaine of Geographical Location ot' States is played with all the cards, and can be played by two, three, or four. However, it is more interesting Where four constitute the number of players. Partners may be chosen, if desired. The value of the cards is determined by the geographical location of each State or Territory to the trump turned, excepting the tlag, United States, and George Washington, which are termed centennial cards. is highest, taking any trick in Aall games. Then follows United States, George Washington, and the State or Territory geographically sit-- uated nearest the trump. After shufding and cutting the cards, they are dealt one at a time until all have six cards each. Then turn up a trump, which is left face up on the deck. The

player to the left plays, calling the name of the State played, and so on until all have played. The one playing the State geographically situated nearest the trump Wins th'e trick, provided neither of the centennial cards have been played. In this Way continue to play until thirteen points have been lnade, which is the game. In case two States are played situated geographically alike, according to the map, the State having the greatest population wins the trick. This is a very iuteresting game, and any one Will learn more geography in a few evenings than in weeks of hard study.

The game of Admission of States 7 is played with two of the centennial cards- United States and George Washington, the thirteen Federal States, the twenty-four admitted States, and Utah Territory. This game is also more interesting Where four play. Shufde and deal ten when four play-if two PATENT @Tarea The flag I the cards.

play,v twentyto each one. The player to the left 'plays first, calling the name of the State or card, or date ot' ad mission, and so on until all have played. The player playing the State irst admitted or' settled wins the trick, it' neither ot' the centennial cards has been played. Continue to play until all the cards dealt have been played. The value ot' the cardsis as follows: First, United Statesis highest, counting seven to the player holding it; second, George Washington, counting six to the player winning it; third, Virginia counts ve to the winner, as it was the tirst State settied fourth,Vermont, counting four, as it was the first State admitted into the Union it'th,

-Massachusetts, counting three, as it was the irst State to abolish slavery sixth, New York, counting two, as ithas the greatest population; seventh, Utah, which counts three against the player winning it, on account of her polygamy. Continue to deal and play until thirty-eight points have been made, which is the game. It two States are played on the same trick that were admittedv in the same year, the State having the greatest population wins the trick.

The game of States is played with all The value of the card is determined by the population of the State or Territory. The dealer deals out six cards, and

the player on the left plays a card, and so on until all have played. The player playing the largest card wins the trick, and so onuntil all 'the cards have been played. Each player, or

the partners playing together, counts the number of Territories won. Thenext dealer deals, and so on unt-il one of the opponents has won ten rllerritories, which constitutes the game.

The'game of Cities is played with our ag and all the States and Territories, and can be played by two or four persons; When four constitute the complement for the game,

they should choose partners, as the game is much more interesting. The value ot' cards is determined bythe number of population of the cities. The dealer, after shuffling, &c., deals one card at a time to the left, until six cards have been dealt out. The playeron the left plays a card, and so on until all have played. The player playing the largest city wins the trick, provided our flag has not been played. The player playing our flag counts one. The player winning lthe city with the smallestpopulation` (Silver. City)` counts one. The player winning' the city with the largest population (New York) counts one, and the player winning the largest number of cards Icounts one, making four counts to the deal.

The deal then goes round to the left until one otl the opponents has made seven points, which is the game. Our liag counts first in the game; second, the smallest city; third, largest city; fourth, largest number of cards won.

Secession z This funny game is played by two, three, four, or tive persons. Shuffle and deal six cards to each oneplaying, leaving out the three centennial cards. The player to the left ot' the dealer looks at his hand. The `value ofthe cards is determined by the year the State was first settled` or admitted. It' he thinks he has a card high enough to go around the table without being caught, hc plays it. The player next to him looksat his hand. If he has nothing that will takev it, he draws one from the deck. If that will not takeit, the next one tries, and so on around to the dealer, each one drawing one card from the deck. If no one takes the trick, the Vone playing the card counts five. It' any ot' the players catch the trick, it counts three. If the one next t0 the dealer does not Wish to secede, he

passes, and the next one has a trial, and so 4 around to the dealer, who may play or pass the cards to the one to the left, who shuiies and deals again. In this Way continue to play until eleven'pointsv have been made, which is the game. This is an exciting game if carefully played, as the one wishing to secede has to play against all the rest. The number of points in the game corresponds withthe number of States seceded in the late rebellion. The player winning a trick always leads the next card in all the games played'.

l claim as my invention- The geographic game apparatusor pack of cards herein described, having cards 2, 7, and 8, embracing apersonal4 card, a war card, and a map card', and cards 1', 3, 4, 5, and 6, embracing historic, State, and` Territoryv cards, respectively, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

JAMES W. NICHOLSON'. Witnesses:

O. F. MAYHEW, T. A. BrsBEE. 

